Despite not having played for over a month, since he was injured in the São Paulo already CONMEBOL Libertadores, Lucas Moura has something to celebrate this Wednesday (8): the anniversary of the best match of his career.
Exactly five years ago, in 2019, the attacking midfielder “stole the show” in European football and enchanted the world with a gala performance that led the Tottenham to the only final of Uefa Nations League of its history.
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It all started a few days earlier, on April 30, when Spurs received the Ajax in London, for the first leg of the Champions League semi-final. The 1-0 defeat went according to plan, but it made Lucas start to believe in the “miracle”.
“We lost 1-0 at home and I remember going to the crowd and clapping, asking them to cheer up and believe, because we were going to qualify in the second game”, said the Brazilian, in an exclusive interview with ESPN.com.br.
As the away goal criterion still existed, the English team traveled to the Netherlands a week later, being able to qualify with a victory by one goal difference, as long as they scored more than once. The start of the game, however, was discouraging.
In just 35 minutes, Ajax, who had already eliminated Juventus e Real Madrid in the previous stages, they were winning 2-0, goals scored by De Ligt and Ziyech, two of the many young people who emerged from that team.
Even though they lost 3-0 on aggregate, Tottenham did not give up. Pochettino, the team’s coach at the time, put it into the players’ heads at half-time that, if they scored once, they would be alive in the match. No sooner said than done.
“We started the second half putting more pressure on Ajax, with a different attitude. Five minutes into the second half, I scored the first goal. After another five minutes, I scored the second. Then I thought: ‘We did the most difficult, which was to draw. We have another 30 minutes to score just one more goal'”, recalled the attacking midfielder.
However, after two goals almost in a row, the drama continued until stoppage time. Ajax and Tottenham had chances to score, but stopped at the goalkeepers or the posts. Until, 51 minutes into the second half, the culmination of that Champions League happened.
Lucas Moura took advantage of a ball at the edge of the area, finished strongly and beat Onana for the third time on the night, scoring the goal of victory, classification and his own immortality for Tottenham.
Lucas Moura celebrates Tottenham’s qualification to the Champions League final Getty Images
“It’s impressive. The moment I scored the goal, it seemed like the stadium was empty. That silence, just our fans there in the corner jumping and celebrating. It was an explosion of feelings. I didn’t even know how to celebrate. I remember I jumped, then I slipped. There’s no way not to get emotional”, explained the Brazilian.
By decision of Mauricio Pochettino, Lucas did not start the final against Liverpool, in which Tottenham lost 2-0 and missed out on their unprecedented title. But since that match with Ajax, the Champions League has gained another symbolism for the Brazilian, who has no doubt in pointing out this as the most special match of his career.
“Champions League is the most desired competition in the world. That game, as an individual performance, is the most magical game (of my career). Every week I receive messages from social media talking about that game. When I’m watching Champions League, I remember that game. It was a big milestone in my career, in my life”, analyzed the São Paulo player.